Best Whole House Before-and-Afters 2012

Best Whole House Before-and-Afters 2012

Home may be where the heart is, but you hardworking readers prove that an entire house overhaul isn't just about passion and dedication—it's good cardiovascular exercise, too. The hundreds of entries we received for our fifth-annual Reader Remodel Contest show just how much patience, TLC, and good old hard labor went into these impressive remodels. So we are excited to present our top picks for whole-house revamps, chosen by the editors of This Old House.

Winner: A Once-Trashed House Becomes a Gem: Before

Winner: A Once-Trashed House Becomes a Gem: Before

We restored a Tudor twin in the historic Overbrook Farms section of Philadelphia with shockingly little money with which to work. Each room was like a call for help from an old, beloved friend whom we'd never met but had always known. It is nearly impossible to adequately describe the waist-deep, cat-urine-soaked ancient garbage and dead-animal horror. A 3,800-square-foot nightmare of tightly glued together, interwoven stinking filth removed by a lot of willing souls—armed with pitchforks!

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Winner: A Once-Trashed House Becomes a Gem: After

Winner: A Once-Trashed House Becomes a Gem: After

Once we got down to the basic bones of the house, each room spoke to us fairly clearly. "Low budget" was very close to "no budget," so we relied on auctions, Craigslist, and doing most of the work ourselves. When remodeling, good friends and neighbors really are worth their weight in gold. Every inch of woodwork was painstakingly restored or remilled.

The Look and Feel of an Older Home: Before

The Look and Feel of an Older Home: Before

The house, located in Boise's Historic North End, was built in 1905. When gutting it we found three layers of ceiling and plaster of paris walls. The back portion of the home wasn't on a foundation, so we ended up tearing it down and adding a basement and second floor.

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The Look and Feel of an Older Home: After

The Look and Feel of an Older Home: After

We love the old-home look, even though most of it is redone. We did most of the work ourselves; we had a contractor do the framing, and we took it from there, doing all the plumbing, electrical, painting, finish work, and landscaping. We paid particular attention to the bathrooms and kitchen, and really enjoy these areas. The yard and garden boxes are fun too. We moved in as soon as it was livable and finished as time and money permitted. We also love all the memories we made fixing it up together!

Who did the work: I did most of the work myselfCost: More than $100,000

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Updated with TLC: Before

Updated with TLC: Before

The rooms in this older home were small, so we had to architecturally redesign spaces within the home to accommodate modern living expectations. We modified the layout of the second floor for a larger luxury master bath and flipped the kitchen.

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Updated with TLC: After

Updated with TLC: After

We saved over $60,000 on this renovation largely by negotiating with every contractor on every job, and bargain-hunting for appliances and fixtures. Because of the size of the house, we could offer large volumes of work with the promise of glowing reviews to our friends and family when they went looking for future work.

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of itCost: More than $100,000

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Finally Feels Like Home: Before

Finally Feels Like Home: Before

I discovered at the historical society that the house was built in 1924, not 1937, as the deed said—not at all what I thought I was getting into. I ended up taking a neighborhood eyesore and transforming it into one of the city's recognized historic structures.

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Finally Feels Like Home: After

Finally Feels Like Home: After

The house is dubbed Pea Cottage and finally feels like home. My dad and I did almost all the work ourselves. Everything is repurposed materials; architectural salvage; constructed from scratch; or standard-size, off-the-shelf new products. Nothing custom. I'm a single woman who hadn't done much construction or carpentry, and certainly no architectural or interior design. I had to learn to do it all: teardown, construction, finish. It's not perfect, by far, but I'm proud of what I have accomplished.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myselfCost: $25,000–$50,000

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Kept Its Original Charm: Before

Kept Its Original Charm: Before

The most difficult part was coming up with a design that would work to make the house more spacious without changing the front elevation. Residents of the area are very protective of their community, so I had to come up with a design that worked without changing anything of what people saw from the curb.

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Kept Its Original Charm: After

Kept Its Original Charm: After

As a builder, I have always done new construction. However, by doing this I realized how much I enjoyed remodeling and how rewarding it can be to restore the beauty that had gotten lost over the years. I feel like I really worked to enhance the home without losing any of the original charm. I repurposed materials in the house, such as taking the old trim and reusing it in new and creative ways. The house had great bones and I added very little square footage.

Who did the work: I did all the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

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A Dream Home After 13 Years: Before

A Dream Home After 13 Years: Before

We've been told many times that this house was once the jewel of the neighborhood, but it had long ago been stripped of its splendor. With a house in extreme disrepair and an extremely overgrown yard, we had our work cut out for us.

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A Dream Home After 13 Years: After

A Dream Home After 13 Years: After

We started this project knowing this was our forever home. We carefully planned each room and our yard to be exactly how we wanted them. Our attention to detail, including handcrafted trims and wainscoting and our restored front porch are among our favorites, making our hard work worth every hour. We did most of the work, from demolition to drywall, to trim and painting, hiring contractors only when really needed. Most materials came from home centers or discount retailers.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myselfCost: More than $100,000

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Restored Craftsman: Before

Restored Craftsman: Before

This poor house had been chopped up by the previous owners to rent out to 15 students at a time. They lived in the dining room, the attic, and even a shed out back! All the work was clearly not to code.

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Restored Craftsman: After

Restored Craftsman: After

We restored this Craftsman with a more pleasing color palette and new landscaping, and did most of the work ourselves. Designing and building the large gourmet kitchen (from scratch!) was by far the most rewarding experience during the remodel process. We made the cabinets and the concrete countertops, and even installed the radiant flooring ourselves. The appliances were floor models or slightly used. The Internet has been the best resource overall for bargains.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

The House Has Life Again: After

The House Has Life Again: After

After seven years of remodeling, we completed it in the summer of 2010. In December that year, an 85-foot pine tree came crashing through the house and did about $200,000 in damage. We had to do about 25 percent over again. It was hard, both financially and mentally, but we feel the house has life again.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

Up to Our Standards: After

Up to Our Standards: After

We worked every day from sun up to sun down for five years. Not sure if we will ever do a renovation on this scale again, but we loved it and now have a home to call our own. We renovated to our standards and used our talents. Rather than replacing historical elements, they were salvaged and saved. We learned to have the courage to do things we've never done before, and our marriage is stronger for it.

A House With Character: After

A House With Character: After

Our home now has charming curb appeal. We opened up the porch and added a master bedroom addition for more space. Features such as tapered columns atop fiber-cement pilasters, wall flares, and crown molding give our home character. All we were able to comfortably afford was to have the contractor build the exterior shell. Therefore, everything else was up to me and my team of friends and family.

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of it.Cost: More than $100,000

Kept the Integrity: After

Kept the Integrity: After

We have enjoyed learning about the house's history. The contractor kept the integrity of the architectural details, and the remodel turned out better than we thought it would. We had to make many decisions on a moment's notice and to stay as close as possible to a budget, which did not happen. The contractor saved many items, such as old bathroom mirrors, tile from the old bath, and old wood flooring from the kitchen, and reused them in other spaces.

Who did the work: A contractor did all the work.Cost: More than $100,000

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Bright and Airy: Before

Bright and Airy: Before

This 1874 house's prior owner had lived there 90 years. The first floor was awful; ceilings under 6 feet and without a shower. The attic was two railroad rooms with a roofline ceiling. We could only stand in the middle!

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Bright and Airy: After

Bright and Airy: After

We have a larger, more energy-efficient home with a bright, sunny, open floor plan on the first floor, and two spacious bedrooms and a full bath upstairs. We went from small and dark to bright and airy. The floors are my favorite. My husband custom-trimmed each window and door. We moved the old front door to the back door and reused an antique door for the bathroom. After two years, we designed a new front porch and had a local carpenter work on it with us. We love sitting on the porch waving to our neighbors!

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of it.Cost: $50,000–$100,000

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In Desperate Need: Before

In Desperate Need: Before

Our first year of marriage, we decided to restore this 1924 historic home. As first-time home buyers, we had no clue what we were getting into. It was a huge project to take on, since years of disrepair and neglect had taken its toll structurally and aesthetically.

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In Desperate Need: After

In Desperate Need: After

The goal was to bring the house back to its original charm. Honestly, the remodel brought us closer together. We didn't just restore the house—we left our mark on it. The kitchen is a joy to cook in, and the sliding staircase is one-of-a-kind. There's nothing more fulfilling than preserving this old historic house for hundreds of years to come. We did most of the work ourselves with the help of our friends and family. There was a considerable amount of time spent bargain hunting, sale shopping, and Internet scouring to save money anywhere we could.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: $50,000–$100,000

Newlywed Renovation: After

Newlywed Renovation: After

We love every part of our home! We poured our heart and soul into the renovation, touching every square inch of the house. We learned so many lessons, not only about renovating but also about relationships! We learned many new skills during this project. In the kitchen, we refinished the cabinets and used granite tile instead of a slab. In the master bathroom, we used stones from the dollar store, which we placed one by one in the shower. If we can do it, anyone can do it!

Summer Year-Round: After

Summer Year-Round: After

It's a happy house and I think our renovations honored that and expanded on it. It's sunny and bright, airy and open, and almost makes it feel like summer year-round. We wanted to make the most of the space the house offered and keep the charm that had appealed to us when we first saw it. I did all the design work and power-shopped for materials. Planning, designing, demoing, and painting until our arms were ready to fall off has certainly made it our house!

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of it.Cost: More than $100,000

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An Efficient Use of Space: Before

An Efficient Use of Space: Before

This house was on the market for three years. Many people loved the look of the home but had no idea what to do with its awkward and dated interior, the lack of bathrooms, and the small bedrooms and original cement block walls.

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An Efficient Use of Space: After

An Efficient Use of Space: After

The space is efficient and we love having the indoor/outdoor feel of the courtyard/pool. It's great for entertaining as well as our day-to-day life with four kids. We were able to give a slightly modern feel to this 1951 Mediterranean without compromising its historic authenticity.

Who did the work: A contractor did all the work.Cost: More than $100,000

Farmhouse to Dream Home: After

Farmhouse to Dream Home: After

As much as I like the end result, I have loved the journey. This remodel has spanned the past 11 years. We've learned so much and have accomplished more than we ever dreamed. We have so many memories. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. The budget was a major focus, and every cent counted. We saved money in three ways. First, nearly all the work was done with the help of friends and family. Second, we phased the remodel so that we could pay as we went. Finally, we had time to shop around. We often got material for 40 to 50 percent off.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

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Deserved to be Restored: Before

Deserved to be Restored: Before

Before: Our home was built in 1772 as the original parsonage to the Old Walpole Meeting House. Over the years, there had been some bad renovations and many years of neglect. It was nearly inhabitable uninhabitable? when we bought it, but we knew immediately it was a great house and would be great again.

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Deserved to be Restored: After

Deserved to be Restored: After

The house has so much character and deserved to be restored. It feels warm and flows so well, and people remark on that when they are here. It is full of light and beautiful surfaces, yet the primitive antiques we love so much fit perfectly. The biggest place we saved money was in the master bath. The original was tucked under the eaves, had no shower, and was wallpapered from ceiling to floor. Dormers would have cost $30,000. Instead, we installed skylights for about $1,000 and floated a shower and vanity in the center.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: $50,000–$100,000

Open Concept: After

Open Concept: After

We love everything about this remodel! Our favorite parts would be the front porch; the open concept, which gives it an airy/beach cottage kind of feel; the unique "catwalk" connecting the master bedroom to the bathroom; and the character of the old hardwood flooring and the original doors and hardware. We painted the interior/exterior ourselves, pulled up carpet, assembled kitchen cabinets, reused all interior doors and original solid-brass hardware/knobs, took flagstone pieces around the yard and reused them for the front entrance, used a house designer for the plans, and contributed sweat equity when possible.

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of it.Cost: More than $100,000

Restoring an Old Farmhouse: After

Restoring an Old Farmhouse: After

Being in the country and having a relaxing, comfortable place to sit back and enjoy can't be beat. The stacked-stone fireplace has a mesquite mantle that my husband crafted from the farm where he grew up, and we salvaged parts from the barn door on this farm to make the master-bedroom door. We removed the porch from the house and, after expanding out 8 feet, reattached the old porch cover. Wood floors were weaved into the great room extension to create a seamless flow. We hope to enjoy the house and create great memories with our friends and grandkids for many years.

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of it.Cost: More than $100,000

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Father-Daughter Teamwork: Before

Father-Daughter Teamwork: Before

My dad and I did the majority of the work on the house, and finding time to do this in between being full-time farmers was hard. The winter proved to be the time we could do the most work on the house, and with no heat or plumbing, we got inventive by taking breaks on a bench we put over a stove.

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Father-Daughter Teamwork: After

Father-Daughter Teamwork: After

We really enjoyed seeing drawings and ideas come to life. I did the drawing work. Dad and I would work side by side making the house come together. The best part was being able to spend time with my dad and the memories we have working together. Few men would take on such a project with a smile! This was mainly a father-daughter effort, and in the past few years, a patient husband, too. We all work well together and try to come up with some innovative ideas while maintaining the historic character of the house. This was a family house, and we have gone to great lengths to restore it.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: $25,000–$50,000

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Maximizing Space: Before

Maximizing Space: Before

Before: Limited by the City of Austin's McMansion ordinance, which limits the total square footage of homes on lots of less than 4,000 square feet, we needed to configure a 1,600-square-foot house that didn't overpower the lot or its neighbors, still felt spacious and airy, and kept the 1920s character intact.

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Maximizing Space: After

Maximizing Space: After

The house maximizes all its space: no hallways, storage under stairwells, built-in window seat in master bedroom, rooms that flow from one to another. The addition and second floor also fit in nicely with the original house's pine floors and original trim. This house was a small, 870-square-foot 1920 cottage in the historic Clarksville neighborhood when its remodel began. It was transformed from a two-bedroom, 1½-bath bungalow to a three-bedroom, 2½-bath urban cottage with 1,650 square feet that is functional, airy, and respectful of its origin.

Who did the work: I did all of the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

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Sense of History: Before

Sense of History: Before

This house is on a busy road, so people "stopped by" all the time (mostly strangers), but that was no problem, as we enjoyed showing progress. However, the week after we installed copper gutters, we learned from the police that they had uncovered a plot to rob our site. Fortunately, the copper caper was foiled!

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Sense of History: After

Sense of History: After

We love the old trees around us and the mountaintop views. We also love living in an old house that has a sense of place and history, with wavy glass windows and creaky floors. From descendants of the original owners, we've heard some great stories. Baseball legend Ted Williams once visited our home. This restoration was daunting because of years of neglect.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

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A Condemned Queen Anne Reborn: Before

A Condemned Queen Anne Reborn: Before

This house was a condemned 1896 Queen Anne in the Upper Bluff Historic District of Joliet. The entire house had to be gutted because decades of neglect had left it with a leaking roof, broken radiators, and raccoons in the attic.

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A Condemned Queen Anne Reborn: After

A Condemned Queen Anne Reborn: After

It's gratifying to bring this condemned old house back to its historic splendor. The pictures hardly tell the story. The scope of work involved: dismantling and rebuilding the staircase; rebuilding the entire front porch, including a 40-foot curved header; structural repairs; refinishing floors, doors and trim; putting on a new roof; adding a master bath, upper laundry, and central air, etc. We did the majority of work ourselves (8,200 work hours); we hired only an electrician, plumber, taper, and HVAC contractors.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

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From Church to Dream Home: Before

From Church to Dream Home: Before

The church was built in 1875 and is situated on a postage stamp-size plot on a steep slope. On the day I bought it, the basement looked like something out of "The Silence of the Lambs." There was bat and rodent infestation in the ceiling.

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From Church to Dream Home: After

From Church to Dream Home: After

When I first saw the property, I asked my friend-carpenter, who would eventually do the work, "Can I take enough of the walls down so that you can have a sense of the views to the Hudson River when you walk in the front door?" He said "Yes," and I said, "Sold." After an initial consultation with an architect about the space, I did most of the design myself. I sourced and bought the appliances, hardware, and building materials online, and whenever I could sand, paint, or stain, I did. In the end, my dream became a reality.

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of it.Cost: More than $100,000

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Unique Details: Before

Unique Details: Before

This house is an Austin City Landmark and a National Historic Register property. It had been neglected for over 20 years, yet the original home still had beautiful, intricate details. It was important to us that the neighborhood appreciated our bringing this property back to its original glory.

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Unique Details: After

Unique Details: After

Our favorite things were the unique details that were original to the 1901 property and that we were able to bring into the 700-square-foot addition: glass transoms to match the original home, reclaimed heart-pine flooring in the addition to match the original floors, and the antique claw-foot tub in the master bath. We looked to unique sources for many of the materials; for example, we saved the original windows by using a local historic restoration company to rebuild them. Dealing with a landmarked property, we had to ensure that the Landmark Commission and our neighborhood association fully approved the project.

Best Whole House Before-and-Afters 2012

Home may be where the heart is, but you hardworking readers prove that an entire house overhaul isn't just about passion and dedication—it's good cardiovascular exercise, too. The hundreds of entries we received for our fifth-annual Reader Remodel Contest show just how much patience, TLC, and good old hard labor went into these impressive remodels. So we are excited to present our top picks for whole-house revamps, chosen by the editors of This Old House.

Winner: A Once-Trashed House Becomes a Gem: Before

Who: Mark W.Where: Philadelphia

We restored a Tudor twin in the historic Overbrook Farms section of Philadelphia with shockingly little money with which to work. Each room was like a call for help from an old, beloved friend whom we'd never met but had always known. It is nearly impossible to adequately describe the waist-deep, cat-urine-soaked ancient garbage and dead-animal horror. A 3,800-square-foot nightmare of tightly glued together, interwoven stinking filth removed by a lot of willing souls—armed with pitchforks!

Winner: A Once-Trashed House Becomes a Gem: After

Who: Mark W.Where: Philadelphia

Once we got down to the basic bones of the house, each room spoke to us fairly clearly. "Low budget" was very close to "no budget," so we relied on auctions, Craigslist, and doing most of the work ourselves. When remodeling, good friends and neighbors really are worth their weight in gold. Every inch of woodwork was painstakingly restored or remilled.

The Look and Feel of an Older Home: Before

Who: Tyler and ZhohnAnn T.Where: Boise, ID

The house, located in Boise's Historic North End, was built in 1905. When gutting it we found three layers of ceiling and plaster of paris walls. The back portion of the home wasn't on a foundation, so we ended up tearing it down and adding a basement and second floor.

The Look and Feel of an Older Home: After

Who: Tyler and ZhohnAnn T.Where: Boise, ID

We love the old-home look, even though most of it is redone. We did most of the work ourselves; we had a contractor do the framing, and we took it from there, doing all the plumbing, electrical, painting, finish work, and landscaping. We paid particular attention to the bathrooms and kitchen, and really enjoy these areas. The yard and garden boxes are fun too. We moved in as soon as it was livable and finished as time and money permitted. We also love all the memories we made fixing it up together!

Who did the work: I did most of the work myselfCost: More than $100,000

Updated with TLC: Before

Who: Heather R.Where: Ivyland, PA

The rooms in this older home were small, so we had to architecturally redesign spaces within the home to accommodate modern living expectations. We modified the layout of the second floor for a larger luxury master bath and flipped the kitchen.

Updated with TLC: After

Who: Heather R.Where: Ivyland, PA

We saved over $60,000 on this renovation largely by negotiating with every contractor on every job, and bargain-hunting for appliances and fixtures. Because of the size of the house, we could offer large volumes of work with the promise of glowing reviews to our friends and family when they went looking for future work.

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of itCost: More than $100,000

Finally Feels Like Home: Before

Who: Lani C.Where: Ypsilanti, MI

I discovered at the historical society that the house was built in 1924, not 1937, as the deed said—not at all what I thought I was getting into. I ended up taking a neighborhood eyesore and transforming it into one of the city's recognized historic structures.

Finally Feels Like Home: After

Who: Lani C.Where: Ypsilanti, MI

The house is dubbed Pea Cottage and finally feels like home. My dad and I did almost all the work ourselves. Everything is repurposed materials; architectural salvage; constructed from scratch; or standard-size, off-the-shelf new products. Nothing custom. I'm a single woman who hadn't done much construction or carpentry, and certainly no architectural or interior design. I had to learn to do it all: teardown, construction, finish. It's not perfect, by far, but I'm proud of what I have accomplished.

Kept Its Original Charm: Before

Who: Roger H.Where: Atlanta

The most difficult part was coming up with a design that would work to make the house more spacious without changing the front elevation. Residents of the area are very protective of their community, so I had to come up with a design that worked without changing anything of what people saw from the curb.

Kept Its Original Charm: After

Who: Roger H.Where: Atlanta

As a builder, I have always done new construction. However, by doing this I realized how much I enjoyed remodeling and how rewarding it can be to restore the beauty that had gotten lost over the years. I feel like I really worked to enhance the home without losing any of the original charm. I repurposed materials in the house, such as taking the old trim and reusing it in new and creative ways. The house had great bones and I added very little square footage.

A Dream Home After 13 Years: Before

Who: Brian H.Where: Mechanicsburg, PA

We've been told many times that this house was once the jewel of the neighborhood, but it had long ago been stripped of its splendor. With a house in extreme disrepair and an extremely overgrown yard, we had our work cut out for us.

A Dream Home After 13 Years: After

Who: Brian H.Where: Mechanicsburg, PA

We started this project knowing this was our forever home. We carefully planned each room and our yard to be exactly how we wanted them. Our attention to detail, including handcrafted trims and wainscoting and our restored front porch are among our favorites, making our hard work worth every hour. We did most of the work, from demolition to drywall, to trim and painting, hiring contractors only when really needed. Most materials came from home centers or discount retailers.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myselfCost: More than $100,000

Restored Craftsman: Before

Who: Aaron C.Where: San Diego, CA

This poor house had been chopped up by the previous owners to rent out to 15 students at a time. They lived in the dining room, the attic, and even a shed out back! All the work was clearly not to code.

Restored Craftsman: After

Who: Aaron C.Where: San Diego, CA

We restored this Craftsman with a more pleasing color palette and new landscaping, and did most of the work ourselves. Designing and building the large gourmet kitchen (from scratch!) was by far the most rewarding experience during the remodel process. We made the cabinets and the concrete countertops, and even installed the radiant flooring ourselves. The appliances were floor models or slightly used. The Internet has been the best resource overall for bargains.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

The House Has Life Again: After

Who: Charles and Christine G.Where: Centerport, NY

After seven years of remodeling, we completed it in the summer of 2010. In December that year, an 85-foot pine tree came crashing through the house and did about $200,000 in damage. We had to do about 25 percent over again. It was hard, both financially and mentally, but we feel the house has life again.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

Up to Our Standards: After

Who: Karl and Amy G.Where: Bedford, VA

We worked every day from sun up to sun down for five years. Not sure if we will ever do a renovation on this scale again, but we loved it and now have a home to call our own. We renovated to our standards and used our talents. Rather than replacing historical elements, they were salvaged and saved. We learned to have the courage to do things we've never done before, and our marriage is stronger for it.

A House With Character: After

Who: Robert I.Where: Baldwin, NY

Our home now has charming curb appeal. We opened up the porch and added a master bedroom addition for more space. Features such as tapered columns atop fiber-cement pilasters, wall flares, and crown molding give our home character. All we were able to comfortably afford was to have the contractor build the exterior shell. Therefore, everything else was up to me and my team of friends and family.

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of it.Cost: More than $100,000

Kept the Integrity: After

Who: Laura W.Where: Zeeland, Mich.

We have enjoyed learning about the house's history. The contractor kept the integrity of the architectural details, and the remodel turned out better than we thought it would. We had to make many decisions on a moment's notice and to stay as close as possible to a budget, which did not happen. The contractor saved many items, such as old bathroom mirrors, tile from the old bath, and old wood flooring from the kitchen, and reused them in other spaces.

Who did the work: A contractor did all the work.Cost: More than $100,000

Bright and Airy: Before

Who: Liz L.Where: Fairfield, Conn.

This 1874 house's prior owner had lived there 90 years. The first floor was awful; ceilings under 6 feet and without a shower. The attic was two railroad rooms with a roofline ceiling. We could only stand in the middle!

Bright and Airy: After

Who: Liz L.Where: Fairfield, Conn.

We have a larger, more energy-efficient home with a bright, sunny, open floor plan on the first floor, and two spacious bedrooms and a full bath upstairs. We went from small and dark to bright and airy. The floors are my favorite. My husband custom-trimmed each window and door. We moved the old front door to the back door and reused an antique door for the bathroom. After two years, we designed a new front porch and had a local carpenter work on it with us. We love sitting on the porch waving to our neighbors!

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of it.Cost: $50,000–$100,000

In Desperate Need: Before

Who: Joel B.Where: Huntsville, Ala.

Our first year of marriage, we decided to restore this 1924 historic home. As first-time home buyers, we had no clue what we were getting into. It was a huge project to take on, since years of disrepair and neglect had taken its toll structurally and aesthetically.

In Desperate Need: After

Who: Joel B.Where: Huntsville, Ala.

The goal was to bring the house back to its original charm. Honestly, the remodel brought us closer together. We didn't just restore the house—we left our mark on it. The kitchen is a joy to cook in, and the sliding staircase is one-of-a-kind. There's nothing more fulfilling than preserving this old historic house for hundreds of years to come. We did most of the work ourselves with the help of our friends and family. There was a considerable amount of time spent bargain hunting, sale shopping, and Internet scouring to save money anywhere we could.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: $50,000–$100,000

Newlywed Renovation: After

Who: Marissa B.Where: Greencastle, PA

We love every part of our home! We poured our heart and soul into the renovation, touching every square inch of the house. We learned so many lessons, not only about renovating but also about relationships! We learned many new skills during this project. In the kitchen, we refinished the cabinets and used granite tile instead of a slab. In the master bathroom, we used stones from the dollar store, which we placed one by one in the shower. If we can do it, anyone can do it!

Summer Year-Round: After

Who: Jeri C.Where: Winchester, MA

It's a happy house and I think our renovations honored that and expanded on it. It's sunny and bright, airy and open, and almost makes it feel like summer year-round. We wanted to make the most of the space the house offered and keep the charm that had appealed to us when we first saw it. I did all the design work and power-shopped for materials. Planning, designing, demoing, and painting until our arms were ready to fall off has certainly made it our house!

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of it.Cost: More than $100,000

An Efficient Use of Space: Before

Who: Michael P.Where: Charlotte, NC

This house was on the market for three years. Many people loved the look of the home but had no idea what to do with its awkward and dated interior, the lack of bathrooms, and the small bedrooms and original cement block walls.

An Efficient Use of Space: After

Who: Michael P.Where: Charlotte, NC

The space is efficient and we love having the indoor/outdoor feel of the courtyard/pool. It's great for entertaining as well as our day-to-day life with four kids. We were able to give a slightly modern feel to this 1951 Mediterranean without compromising its historic authenticity.

Who did the work: A contractor did all the work.Cost: More than $100,000

Farmhouse to Dream Home: After

Who: Brett K.Where: Canton, OH

As much as I like the end result, I have loved the journey. This remodel has spanned the past 11 years. We've learned so much and have accomplished more than we ever dreamed. We have so many memories. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. The budget was a major focus, and every cent counted. We saved money in three ways. First, nearly all the work was done with the help of friends and family. Second, we phased the remodel so that we could pay as we went. Finally, we had time to shop around. We often got material for 40 to 50 percent off.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

Deserved to be Restored: Before

Who: Barbara and Ron B.Where: Walpole, ME

Before: Our home was built in 1772 as the original parsonage to the Old Walpole Meeting House. Over the years, there had been some bad renovations and many years of neglect. It was nearly inhabitable uninhabitable? when we bought it, but we knew immediately it was a great house and would be great again.

Deserved to be Restored: After

Who: Barbara and Ron B.Where: Walpole, ME

The house has so much character and deserved to be restored. It feels warm and flows so well, and people remark on that when they are here. It is full of light and beautiful surfaces, yet the primitive antiques we love so much fit perfectly. The biggest place we saved money was in the master bath. The original was tucked under the eaves, had no shower, and was wallpapered from ceiling to floor. Dormers would have cost $30,000. Instead, we installed skylights for about $1,000 and floated a shower and vanity in the center.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: $50,000–$100,000

Open Concept: After

Who: Nancy K.Where: Portsmouth, NH

We love everything about this remodel! Our favorite parts would be the front porch; the open concept, which gives it an airy/beach cottage kind of feel; the unique "catwalk" connecting the master bedroom to the bathroom; and the character of the old hardwood flooring and the original doors and hardware. We painted the interior/exterior ourselves, pulled up carpet, assembled kitchen cabinets, reused all interior doors and original solid-brass hardware/knobs, took flagstone pieces around the yard and reused them for the front entrance, used a house designer for the plans, and contributed sweat equity when possible.

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of it.Cost: More than $100,000

Restoring an Old Farmhouse: After

Who: Dee Dee K.Where: Hennessey, OK

Being in the country and having a relaxing, comfortable place to sit back and enjoy can't be beat. The stacked-stone fireplace has a mesquite mantle that my husband crafted from the farm where he grew up, and we salvaged parts from the barn door on this farm to make the master-bedroom door. We removed the porch from the house and, after expanding out 8 feet, reattached the old porch cover. Wood floors were weaved into the great room extension to create a seamless flow. We hope to enjoy the house and create great memories with our friends and grandkids for many years.

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of it.Cost: More than $100,000

Father-Daughter Teamwork: Before

Who: Marcy S.Where: Fultonham, NY

My dad and I did the majority of the work on the house, and finding time to do this in between being full-time farmers was hard. The winter proved to be the time we could do the most work on the house, and with no heat or plumbing, we got inventive by taking breaks on a bench we put over a stove.

Father-Daughter Teamwork: After

Who: Marcy S.Where: Fultonham, NY

We really enjoyed seeing drawings and ideas come to life. I did the drawing work. Dad and I would work side by side making the house come together. The best part was being able to spend time with my dad and the memories we have working together. Few men would take on such a project with a smile! This was mainly a father-daughter effort, and in the past few years, a patient husband, too. We all work well together and try to come up with some innovative ideas while maintaining the historic character of the house. This was a family house, and we have gone to great lengths to restore it.

Maximizing Space: Before

Who: Katharine B.Where: Austin, TX

Before: Limited by the City of Austin's McMansion ordinance, which limits the total square footage of homes on lots of less than 4,000 square feet, we needed to configure a 1,600-square-foot house that didn't overpower the lot or its neighbors, still felt spacious and airy, and kept the 1920s character intact.

Maximizing Space: After

Who: Katharine B.Where: Austin, TX

The house maximizes all its space: no hallways, storage under stairwells, built-in window seat in master bedroom, rooms that flow from one to another. The addition and second floor also fit in nicely with the original house's pine floors and original trim. This house was a small, 870-square-foot 1920 cottage in the historic Clarksville neighborhood when its remodel began. It was transformed from a two-bedroom, 1½-bath bungalow to a three-bedroom, 2½-bath urban cottage with 1,650 square feet that is functional, airy, and respectful of its origin.

Who did the work: I did all of the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

Sense of History: Before

Who: Barry D.Where: Birmingham, AL

This house is on a busy road, so people "stopped by" all the time (mostly strangers), but that was no problem, as we enjoyed showing progress. However, the week after we installed copper gutters, we learned from the police that they had uncovered a plot to rob our site. Fortunately, the copper caper was foiled!

Sense of History: After

Who: Barry D.Where: Birmingham, AL

We love the old trees around us and the mountaintop views. We also love living in an old house that has a sense of place and history, with wavy glass windows and creaky floors. From descendants of the original owners, we've heard some great stories. Baseball legend Ted Williams once visited our home. This restoration was daunting because of years of neglect.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

A Condemned Queen Anne Reborn: Before

Who: Rebecca D.Where: Joliet, IL

This house was a condemned 1896 Queen Anne in the Upper Bluff Historic District of Joliet. The entire house had to be gutted because decades of neglect had left it with a leaking roof, broken radiators, and raccoons in the attic.

A Condemned Queen Anne Reborn: After

Who: Rebecca D.Where: Joliet, IL

It's gratifying to bring this condemned old house back to its historic splendor. The pictures hardly tell the story. The scope of work involved: dismantling and rebuilding the staircase; rebuilding the entire front porch, including a 40-foot curved header; structural repairs; refinishing floors, doors and trim; putting on a new roof; adding a master bath, upper laundry, and central air, etc. We did the majority of work ourselves (8,200 work hours); we hired only an electrician, plumber, taper, and HVAC contractors.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.Cost: More than $100,000

From Church to Dream Home: Before

Who: Gail M.Where: Coxsackie, NY

The church was built in 1875 and is situated on a postage stamp-size plot on a steep slope. On the day I bought it, the basement looked like something out of "The Silence of the Lambs." There was bat and rodent infestation in the ceiling.

From Church to Dream Home: After

Who: Gail M.Where: Coxsackie, NY

When I first saw the property, I asked my friend-carpenter, who would eventually do the work, "Can I take enough of the walls down so that you can have a sense of the views to the Hudson River when you walk in the front door?" He said "Yes," and I said, "Sold." After an initial consultation with an architect about the space, I did most of the design myself. I sourced and bought the appliances, hardware, and building materials online, and whenever I could sand, paint, or stain, I did. In the end, my dream became a reality.

Who did the work: I did some of the work myself, but a contractor did most of it.Cost: More than $100,000

Unique Details: Before

Who: Katie B.Where: Austin, TX

This house is an Austin City Landmark and a National Historic Register property. It had been neglected for over 20 years, yet the original home still had beautiful, intricate details. It was important to us that the neighborhood appreciated our bringing this property back to its original glory.

Unique Details: After

Who: Katie B.Where: Austin, TX

Our favorite things were the unique details that were original to the 1901 property and that we were able to bring into the 700-square-foot addition: glass transoms to match the original home, reclaimed heart-pine flooring in the addition to match the original floors, and the antique claw-foot tub in the master bath. We looked to unique sources for many of the materials; for example, we saved the original windows by using a local historic restoration company to rebuild them. Dealing with a landmarked property, we had to ensure that the Landmark Commission and our neighborhood association fully approved the project.